Rev. Kevin and Teresa Knox
407-521- VOWS (8697)
www.abeautiufulceremony.net
Your Complete Ceremony Planning Kit
A. Simple ‘Ceremony Design Form’ (pp.3)
B. Three of the Most Popular Ceremonies
1. Traditional Religious Ceremony (pp. 4-11)
2. Warmer Sentimental Ceremony (pp.12-19)
3. Civil, Non-Religious Ceremony (pp.20-23)
C. Favorite Readings (pp.24-32)
D. 15+ Ceremony Enhancements (pp.33-49)
· Catholic Options
· Memorial Acknowledgement
· The Blessing of the Hands
· The Unity Candle
· Breaking the Glass
· The Gift of Roses
· Jumping the Broom
· The Wine Ceremony
- The Unity Cross
- And many more choices….
E. Extra Marriage and Ring Vows (pp.52-54)
- Helpful Hints on How to Write Your Own Vows (pp.55-58)
- Your Rehearsal and Order of Procession (pp.59-61)
- About Us (p. 62)
IMPORTANT: If you wish to write your own ceremony outside the realm of this kit, please seek approval from your officiant first.
Fax: 407.386.3186 Choose: #1 Traditional #2 Sentimental-Warm #3 Civil
____1) Asking parents for their blessings
____2) Address thanks to parents. With or without roses
____3) Memorial acknowledgement Names______
____4) Blessing of the Hands & Prayer
____5) Same Marriage Vows or #______
____6) Same Ring Vows or # ______
____7) Blended family vows to include children
____8) Special options: Unity Candle, Sand ceremony, etc.______
____9) Prayer Blessing marriage
____10) Blessing to the Couple
____11) Readings, poems and scriptures______
Seating of Honored Guests-First Names
Groom’s (Grandmother) ______escort______
Groom’s (Grandmother) ______escort______
Bride’s (Grandmother) ______escort______
Bride’s (Grandmother)______escort______
Groom’s (Stepmother?) ______escort______
Bride’s (Stepmother?) ______escort______
Mother of Groom______escort______
Mother of Bride______escort______
Line Up Diagram-First Names
______
______
______
______
______
______
Best man Matron or maid of honor
______
Groom Bride
Ceremony #1 -Traditional Non-Denominational Religious
(Charge to audience)
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together N., and N., in holy matrimony; this is an honorable estate, instituted by God, and signifying unto us the mystical union which exists between Christ and his Church; It is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and with the approval of God. It is into this holy estate these two persons come now to be joined. (You may be seated)
(Charge to couple)
I require and charge you both, as you stand in the presence of God, before whom the secrets of all hearts are disclosed, that, having duly considered the holy covenant you are about to make, you do now declare before this company your pledge of faith, each to the other. Be well assured that if these solemn vows are kept, as God’s Word demands, and if steadfastly you endeavor to do the will of your heavenly Father, God will bless your marriage, will grant you fulfillment in it, and will establish your home in peace.
Vows of Intent
(Then shall the officiant say to the man)
N., do you take this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep yourself only for her so long as you both shall live?
I Do
(Then shall the officiant say to the woman)
N., do you take this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others keep yourself only for him so long as you both shall live?
I Do
Option 1 Request Blessings from Parents or Family
Grooms Parents: Do you sanction this marriage with your blessing, and receive N. (bride) with love as a member of your family?
Brides Parents: Do you sanction this marriage with your blessing, and receive N. (groom) with love as a member of your family?
Bride Presented By Escort
Throughout time and tradition, all over the world it has always been the distinct honor and privilege for someone to present the bride in marriage. As we come together, who presents (bride) in marriage?
I do (or her mother and I)
Watch Addressing Parents Video
Option 2 Addressing Thanks to the Parents
N and N have asked me to publicly express their love and appreciation to you, their parents, for all the love and guidance you have given them. It is through you, they have learned the meaning of the words “respect,” love” and “honor”. These ‘gifts’ that you have bestowed upon them - they will now come to share and exchange with each other. It is a tribute to you that they now stand here before us. For your support that has brought them this far in their lives they say thank you-..and I say thank you.
Option 3 Rose Service – Distribution of Roses to Mothers
Officiant: As they come before us to be married, N., and N., wish to acknowledge and thank their parents for the love and support they have given them. The flowers they give to their parents represent the feeling of gratitude in the hearts of N., and N. This moment marks a major change in their lives, but the ties of love and friendship with their parents will continue. (The bride and groom then walk together to their parents, who rise, and the bride and groom hug each of them and give each a rose.)
Option for Special Readings (pp.24-32)
Genesis 2:18, 21-24
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
Option 4 Blessing of the Hands
Watch Hand Ceremony Video
Officiant addresses audience: Just as the bride’s hand was presented in marriage, we would like to take a moment to bless the hands of N., and N. For it is through the hands that we demonstrate our love and commitment to one another.
N, and N, please face each other and join both hands so that we may bless them.
Reading by officiant:
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you.
They are being held by yours on your wedding day as you two promise to love each other for the rest of your lives.
These are also the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future and share your inner most dreams and secrets together.
These are the very hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief threatens to overwhelm you.
The hands that you hold are the same hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These too are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. (optional)
These are also the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Prayer:
God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace. May N. and N., see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen.
Wedding Vows (traditional)
I, N. (groom), take you, N. (bride), / to be my wedded wife, / to have and to hold/ from this day forward, /for better, for worse, / for richer, for poorer, /in sickness and in health, / to love and to cherish, /as long as we both shall live, / this is my promise to you.
(Then shall they loose their hands; and the woman, with her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall say after the minister,)
I, N. (bride), take you, N. (groom), / to be my wedded husband, / to have and to hold /from this day forward, / for better, for worse, / for richer, for poorer, / in sickness and in health, / to love and to cherish, / as long as we both shall live, / this is my promise to you.
Option for Special Readings (pp.24-32)
1 Corinthians 13
Poems
Ring Exchange
(Then, the officiant, taking the ring or rings, shall say,)
I hold in my hands beautiful rings. They are made of precious metal representing two precious lives that stand before me. The ring has no beginning, no end...it represents the circle of life-the circle of love. May they be given, and received, to remind you of the vows you have made this day.
(Then the officiant may say,)
Let us pray.
Bless O lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide in thy peace, and continue in thy favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(The minister shall then deliver the proper ring to the man to put upon the third finger of the woman’s left hand. The man, holding the ring there, shall say after the minister,)
Ring Vows (traditional)
In token and pledge/ of my constant faith/ and abiding love/ with this ring I thee wed/ in the name of the Father/ the Son/ and the Holy Spirit/
(Then, if there is a second ring, the minister shall deliver it to the woman to put upon the third finger of the man’s left hand; and the woman, holding the ring there, shall say after the minister the same vows)
Option 5 Blended family vows
(This is where the new stepparent may address his/her commitment/ love/support to the children of his/her spouse. Samples have been included in the ‘Special Acts of celebration’ section. Sometimes family medallions are given as gifts.)
Option 6 Ceremony Enhancements – Example Unity Candle
The officiant may say:
The two candles on the outside have been lit to represent your lives up to this moment. As you each take a candle and, together light the center one it will come to represent the union of your two lives into one. As this one candle cannot be divided, neither shall your lives be divided.
“May the brightness of this candle shine throughout your lives, giving you courage and reassurance in the darkness. May its warmth give you shelter from the cold. And may its energy fill your spirits with strength and joy.” (other examples are included in the ‘Acts of Celebration’ section)
Pastoral Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us this opportunity to be present in these surroundings - where dreams come true, where a couple comes together in marriage. Thank you for N. and N. as they begin this, their journey through life together. Walk with them each step of the way giving them the faith, and the wisdom, to face together whatever the future may hold. In your name we pray, Amen.
Option 7 Blessing to the Couple
Watch Blessing Video
Receive this blessing as one to the other
“Entreat me not to leave you or from walking beside you; for where you go, I will go, where your home shall be so shall my home be, your family shall be my family, your friends shall be my friends, and your God shall be my God.” Ruth 1:16
Pronouncement
Watch Pronouncement Video
Forasmuch as N. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings, I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Amen.
(Then shall the officiant say)
You may kiss your beautiful bride.
(Officiant requests congregation to stand and couples face their guests)
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with the greatest of pleasure I present to you for the very first time, as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. N.
Sample Design form for this ceremony:
____1) Asking Groom’s and Bride’s parents for their blessings
____2) Address to parents-thanking them for their love and support
____3) Rose service to parents
____4) Blessing of the Hands & Prayer
____ Sample Marriage Vows______(pp.50-52)
____ Sample Ring Vows______
____5) Blended family vows to include children
____6) Ceremony Enhancement - Unity Candle Example
____7) Blessing to the Couple
____Readings, poems and scriptures-can also be inserted at appropriate places
Did you know?
The ceremony-ending kiss is an old Roman tradition.
A kiss sealed contracts.
Brides stand to the left of the groom and have done so for thousands of years. The reason? So the groom can protect his bride from would-be attackers. Since most people are right handed, the groom would need to keep his right arm free to defend his woman.
Wedding Ceremony # 2
Click to watch Ceremony Introduction Video
On behalf of N., and N., I would like to thank each of you for attending this wedding celebration. You are indeed participating in one of the happiest moments of their lives. For N., and N., your very presence here as family and honored guests not only heightens the beauty of this moment for them--but it also completes it!